What is this, dear A. M.—no news from you? It was long ago that you wrote, saying you had finished a major work and were planning to help us with *Proletarii*. When, then? What if you were to dash off a feuilleton about Tolstoy or something of the sort? Drop me a line—do you intend to?

Al. Al. has gone to see you. I cannot abandon the newspaper nor tear myself away from work. Well, this is only a postponement; I shall come all the same.

What is your opinion of *Proletarii*? It is orphaned. I have never before neglected my newspaper so much: I read whole days of these accursed Machists, and I write articles for the newspaper with incredible haste.

Well, I press your hand. Your Lenin

M. F— a thousand greetings! I shall come to see her on my bicycle!

Get Anat. Vas-ch. to write for *Proletarii* as well! Give me a chance to philosophize a bit and help *Proletarii* for now!

To Capri Island (Italy)

Written in the first half of
April 1908

Sent from Geneva

First published in 1924
in *Leninskii sbornik* I

Printed from the manuscript